1. History

2. Design

3. References

The Polar Security Cutter Program is the program to replace the United States Coast Guard's aging fleet of icebreakers. The current fleet of large icebreakers consists of one operational heavy icebreaker, the USCGC Polar Star, and one medium icebreaker, the USCGC Healy. Both ships are planned to be replaced by three heavy and three medium icebreakers. The new fleet of icebreakers will allow the USCG to perform missions in the Arctic such as defense operations and readiness; defending U.S. sovereignty and interests; national security activities and maritime safety; PWCS (ports, waterways, and coastal security); research; search and rescue; and logistic support and vessel escort.^[1][2] The first icebreaker will be funded by the US Navy.^[3]

History

The US Coast Guard established the heavy polar icebreaker acquisition program in 2012. In 2016, the Coast Guard established an integrated program office with the US Navy to use the Navy's shipbuilding expertise for acquiring the icebreakers. The USCG released draft system specifications in April 2017, a draft request for proposal (RFP) in October 2017, and the RFP for advance planning and detailed design in March 2018.^[4] In January 2018, Commandant Adm. Zukunft said that "in the event this world changes in the next 5, 10, even 15 years from now," the icebreakers will be designed with space, weight, and power (SWAP) reservations sufficient to weaponize the icebreakers at some point in the future.^[5] In September 2018, the Coast Guard announced that the icebreakers would be called Polar Security Cutters, that they would have the designation WMSP, and that the Coast Guard wanted the icebreakers to be capable of carrying deck-mounted weapons if needed.^[6]

Design

The heavy polar icebreaker should be able to break through ice of {{convert|6.5|ft}} at {{convert|3|kn}}, independently break through ice that is {{convert|21|ft|m|0}} thick, and be able to operate for 80 days without replenishment. The medium icebreaker should be able to break ice not less than {{convert|4.5|ft}} thick at 3 kts and operate for 80 days without replenishment. Both icebreakers will be capable of surface defense using removable weapons and will be capable of fitting with additional sensors and weapons. The ships will be equipped with surface and air search radars, will be capable of communications with other Department of Defense, Coast Guard and National Science Foundation ships and aircraft.^[7] The Polar Icebreakers will be built to a mix of military and commercial standards.^[8]

References

• List of professional paintball teams
• List of professional sportspeople convicted of crimes
• List of professional sports team owners
• List of professional sports teams in Illinois
• List of professional sports teams in Ontario
• List of professional sports teams in Utah/version 2
• List of professional wrestling promotions
• List of professional wrestling throws
• List of professional wrestling World Title reigns by length
• List Of Professor Farnsworth's Inventions
• List of professorial positions at Harvard Law School
• List of professors at UCLA
• List of Professorships at the University of Aberdeen
• List of professorships at the University of Dublin
• List of professorships at the University of Edinburgh
• List of Professorships at the University of Glasgow
• List of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
• List of Programme broadcast on MTV in South-east Asia
• List of programmes being broadcast by C4
• List of programmes broadcast by Boomerang (UK & Ireland)
• List of programmes broadcast by C4
• List of programmes broadcast by Channel 4
• List of programmes broadcast by Channel 5 (Singapore)
• List of programmes broadcast by Channel One
• List of programmes broadcast by Comedy Central (UK and Ireland)